Elderflower cordial

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

The flower of the elder used in making Elderflower cordial.

Elderflower cordial is a

sparkling water. Elderflower pressé
is a premixed form of this.

Production

Elderflower cordial steeping
Elderflower lemonade in a café in Munich, Germany

In the northern hemisphere, elderflowers are in season from the end of May to the beginning of June

corymbs, 10–25 cm in diameter, where the individual flowers are white with five petals, 5–6 mm in diameter, and pollinated by flies. The cream-coloured flowerheads are honey-scented blossoms that are crisp and somewhat juicy, with a highly aromatic smell and flavour. The leaves are bitter-smelling.[1][2]

Elderflower cordial can be made relatively easily at home, though it is also produced and sold commercially. The flowerheads are best collected fresh and new when the tiny buds have just opened and come to bloom before the fragrance is tainted with bitterness.

soda or gin are also used.[1]

Commercial production of elderflower cordial uses a scaled-up version of the process described. Commercially produced cordials are generally sold as a concentrated squash and are usually diluted by one part cordial and ten parts water, thus a 500 ml bottle of cordial would be enough for 5.5 litres diluted. The high concentration of sugar in elderflower cordial gives it a long shelf life. There are many commercial producers of elderflower cordial, and cheaper canned fizzy "elderflower drinks" and "elderflower sodas" often use a synthetic cheap elderflower flavouring to save money and labour, as well as a real elderflower extract.

See also

References

External links